AIF1
Description
The AIF1 (allograft inflammatory factor 1) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 6.
AIF1, also known as IBA1, is a protein encoded by the AIF1 gene. The AIF1 gene is located within the major histocompatibility complex class III region and is highly expressed in the testis, spleen, and brain. It is weakly expressed in the lung and kidney. Within the brain, AIF1 is strongly and specifically expressed in microglia. Circulating macrophages also express AIF1. AIF1 is a cytoplasmic protein that is highly conserved throughout evolution. It may be identical to three other proteins: Iba-2, MRF-1 (microglia response factor), and daintain; however, the complete functional profiles of these proteins and their overlap are unknown. AIF1 is a 17-kDa EF hand protein specifically expressed in macrophages and microglia. Its expression is upregulated during the activation of these cells and following nerve injury, central nervous system ischemia, and other brain diseases.
AIF1 is also known as AIF-1, IBA1, IRT-1, IRT1.
